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English 240: Ancient Literature Questions on Saint Augustine's Confessions Alfred J. Drake. Hours: Cyber Cafe Tu/Th. 12-1 | ajdrake@ajdrake.com Book 1. Early Years. 1. What are Augustine's initial concerns as he begins his autobiography? How does he answer them, and how do his responses relate to the task of writing he has begun? 2. What seems to be Augustine's view of a child's first days and months? How do children first learn to speak? To what extent does he suggest that children are similar to adults? How are they different? 3. What does Augustine say about his earliest education--was it good for him, or bad for him? Why did he disobey his parents and teachers? 4. Why did the young Augustine come to dislike Greek so intensely, and to enjoy his Latin studies so much? What concerns does he express about the relationship between speech and morality, and about the experience of the senses? Book 2. Adolescence. 5. What problem begins to plague Augustine when he reaches adolescence? What picture of his parents does he give us at this point--how do they deal with his unruliness, and what hopes do they harbor for him? 6. How does Augustine use his account of a youthful theft (stealing pears) as a vehicle for explaining the nature of sin at its most basic level--aside from the desire for worldly gain and similar "utilitarian" motives? Why does it matter whether one sins alone or in company with others? Book 3. Student at Carthage. 7. How does Augustine use his early love of the theater to explore the tendencies of passion? And what seems to be the purpose of art, as far as he is concerned? 8. Why does Augustine fall in with the Manicheans? What fundamental errors do they commit regarding the nature of evil and god, and how does Augustine, reflecting on his early infatuation, here correct those errors? 9. What role does Augustine's mother Monica play at this point in his life? How much credit does it appear from this book that Augustine will give Monica for his eventual conversion? Book 4 10. While teaching rhetoric in his home town, Augustine loses an unnamed friend to illness. What reflections does he offer on the nature of grief and, more broadly, of friendship—into what error does excessive grief lead a person? 11. What reflections does Augustine offer concerning beauty and sense-experience of physical objects? According to him, what is the proper attitude to take towards the external world and towards aesthetic perception? 12. Augustine concludes his chapter by commenting on his understanding of humanity and God at the time to which the fourth chapter refers. What seems to have been his understanding, and how does he analyze his error? Book 5 13. While still in Carthage , friends tell Augustine that the Manichean Bishop Faustus will clear up his intellectual doubts. What sort of person does Faustus turn out to be, and what understanding does Augustine take away from the encounter? 14. Augustine says that God drew him on towards Rome , and describes how his mother Monica took the news of his departure. How are the move to Rome and the interaction with Monica related to the overall pattern of Augustine's movement towards conversion? 15. Augustine is hired on in Milan as a teacher of rhetoric, thanks to a fine oration. At Milan he hears the Christian Bishop Ambrose speak. How does Augustine explain the effects of Ambrose's words on him—what else has Augustine written in this fifth book about the effects and proper use of rhetoric? Book 6 16. Even after he meets Ambrose, what still keeps Augustine from becoming a full Christian? Nevertheless, how does he contrast the knowledge claims made by Manicheanism with what the Scriptures offer? 17. Augustine recounts a story drawn from his friendship with Alypius, and describes their plans for leading a proper life. How do Alypius' character and conduct serve as a pattern for Augustine? How do his shortcomings compare to Augustine's? to be continued... Book 7 18. 19. Book 8 22. 23. 24. Book 9 25. 26. 27. ------------------------ Book 10 Book 11 Book 12 Book 13
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